Large-Scale Hydrogen Project Planned in Hallein

VERBUND and AustroCel are launching a large-scale project at the Hallein site for the production of green hydrogen and climate-neutral e-methanol. The project has been recommended for funding by the European Hydrogen Bank and will receive EUR 100 million in OPEX funding under the Austrian Hydrogen Funding Act.

The project includes the construction of a 20 MW electrolysis plant with a production capacity of approximately 2,600 tonnes of hydrogen per year. The hydrogen produced will be combined with biogenic CO₂ from existing production processes at the site to synthesize e-methanol. The pure biogenic CO₂ mainly arises from bioethanol production as well as from biogas upgrading.

With commissioning planned by 2030 at the latest, Hallein would become one of the largest green hydrogen production sites in Austria. The hydrogen produced will be directly processed into e-methanol.

The project consistently builds on AustroCel’s integrated biorefinery structure. The biogas plant has been in operation since 2006, the bioethanol plant was launched in 2020, and hydrogel production for lignin valorization followed in 2025. With the hydrogen project, the utilization of side streams will be further expanded and the site strategically developed.